Diane Marshall of Fort Pierce, Florida has quite a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. She was rescued in September from a burning apartment fire by her neighbor Susan Laney and friend Tommy Barber (pictured), who is blind. On Tuesday, the duo each received an award for their bravery from the St. Lucie Fire District. Special mention was given to Barber, who despite his disability, managed to help get Marshall safely away from the blaze, according to WPBF News 25.

Barber told firefighters Marshall was asleep in her apartment when he realized there was a fire. He had gone over to Laney’s home to visit when they smelled smoke. Barber’s blindness never kept him from wanting to help Marshall, as he and Laney grabbed a fire extinguisher and pushed their way into the woman’s apartment. The dynamic pair somehow managed to get Marshall out of the burning space, with neither person sustaining an injury.

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Marshall’s gratitude is immeasurable. “I could have been dead in a second,” the woman told WPBF 25 News. Now both Barber and Laney have been given a prestigious accolade for their fearlessness. But firefighter Lt. Tommy Neiman, who nominated the pair for the honor, is most impressed by the fact that Barber is sightless, yet was still able to demonstrate incredible valor. “Tommy and Susan showed tremendous bravery and courage, especially with him being blind,” Neiman said in a statement.

Barber, who has not allowed his disability to be a crutch in his life, told WPBF 25 News, “Whatever the disability may be, just give it your best, and don’t give up.”